MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The vision to feed their community fruit while teaching its learners to grow food and care for the environment led to Ridgeview Primary School planting its very first fruit tree on Wednesday 9 September, as part of its new garden project.

This environmentally conscious project was the brainchild of learning support educator Jayde Marthinus, who has called on the greater Mossel Bay community to get on board by donating a fruit tree to the school, which the learners will plant on the school's grounds.

"Our vision is to plant fruit trees on our grounds so that, once established, the fruit can be shared with our learners and families who may not always have the financial means to purchase fresh fruit," said the school.

Christiano van der Merwe, Jayden Windvogel and Adrian Cupido hard at work. Photo: Chelsea Pieterse

The project was initially created to celebrate Arbor Week (1 to 7 September), but it will also be used as an opportunity to teach the learners the importance of trees, caring for our environment, growing food, and giving back to our community.

The school said it plans to take the initiative beyond just a week and carry it through until the end of September. The school hopes this project will benefit its learners and their families for years to come. 

"We believe that access to fresh fruit can make a meaningful difference, particularly for families facing financial challenges."

Ridgeview added that another important aspect of the project will be that the school's skills centre learners will be involved in planting, watering, caring for and maintaining the trees. This will form part of a project for the learners, focused on responsibility, life skills, teamwork and giving back to others.

"This will allow our learners to develop valuable practical skills while knowing their work contributes to something that will benefit the wider school community," said the school.

Christiano van der Merwe and Jayden Windvogel will be involved in the garden project. Photo: Chelsea Pieterse

Ridgeview has appealed to all Mossel Bay community members to consider sponsoring fruit trees, seedlings, or any suitable fruit-bearing plants for the project.

The school received its first donation, a grenadilla tree, from an anonymous donor on Wednesday morning, 9 September, and was promised a second one, a banana tree.

Grade Six learners Jayden Windvogel and Christiano van der Merwe helped plant the grenadilla tree themselves with the expert guidance of the school's foreman, Adrian Cupido.

"Any contribution, large or small, would be sincerely appreciated. Your donation would not simply be a donation of trees. It would be an investment in our learners, our school, and our community," said the school.

To donate a tree or find out more, email the school on [email protected] or call 044 693 0030. 

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